Posted on 26 March 2012.
The NJ Ultra Festival 50K took place on March 24, 2012 in Augusta, New Jersey. Here is the finisher’s medal from that event.
It for sure has a bit of a reggae feel to it.
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[medal photo submitted by Robin. Follow her on Twitter @Robinmrr2]
Posted in Bling, Featured, Medals, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
Posted on 22 March 2012.
“I am addicted to long distance running. Never thought, even in my dreams, that I would run as many ultras as I have in the past two years. Ultra marathon is an awesome sport and I consider myself very lucky and blessed for being able to run so many races and meet so many wonderful people along the way. Some of the races, listed below are life changing experiences, taught me the real meaning of perseverance, to face my demons alone and ultimately making me realize that I can do anything.” – Naresh Kumar
My Favorite Races (In no specific order)
The Last Annual Vol State Road Race 500K: Vol State was a life changing experience. I hated talking about the race after finishing but a few weeks later I could never shut up once I start talking about it. The toughest thing that I have ever done in my whole life. Run, walk, eat, sleep …that’s all I did for 7 days to get to the finish line.
Foot Hills Trail Ultra: A 77 mile trail ultra from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. I joined the FHT mailing list and after listening to countless number of adventure stories from runners who attempted this grueling race, I thought I will give it a try. This race, especially the Laurel Valley section, is the most beautiful and wild trails that I have ever run. Besides I earned the BMF title, and the wallet, by finishing it in 27+ hours.
Art Loeb Trail: The TOUGHEST 50K I have ever run to this date. The RD calls it as adventure run as opposed to calling it a race and he is right. Calling this 50K an adventure run is a joke. It’s practically a 2-3 day hike which was tagged as an adventure run with a 12 hr cut-off. No marked trails after mile 12. Compass and map is a must to navigate the course. Wild and beautiful trail that runs across the mountain ridges offering spectacular views. National Geographic has listed ALT as one of the thirty best North American hikes. My finish time for this 50K. 11:13:32
Big Dog Backyard Ultra: A very unique race with a very unique format. A death march on Big Dog Backyard Trail and the last man standing wins. Run 4.2 miles, start and finish by the hour. Pushed my limits and managed to answer the bell for 11 loops before finally giving in.
Bartram 100: My first 100 mile ultra that I ran and finished within my first year of running. 6.2 mile loop. Run it 16 times for a 100 mile finish. The year I first ran, the weather was miserable. It felt like 18 deg F with heavy winds, pouring rain and sleet. The second year, I shaved off almost 4 hours from my previous years’ time. One of the best 100’s that I have run.
Bloody 11W 100 mi: The highway was once known as “Bloody 11W” because of the frequency of fatal accidents along the route. Why not run 100 miles on the most haunted road in the US. That’s how it all started. Approximately 110 miles from where 11E and 11W splits in Knoxville, TN all the way to the Virginia state line in Bristol. A fatass style event. Beautiful yet brutal course. The longest 34:04:00 of my life. Mark your calendar for the Labor Day weekend. There will be blood. 🙂
Land between the Lakes 50 mi: My most memorable races are the ones where things went wrong at the very beginning and I had to put on the best fight against all odds to get to the finish line. My first 50 mile within 2 months of my running experience. My first race finish where I cried like a baby at the finish line, literally. This race also taught me that “You’re better than you think you are and you can do more than you think you can”.
Louisville Lovin The Hills 50K: This was the toughest 50K next to ALT 50K. Hills never end at LLTH 50K and they get steeper and longer by the hour. Also the most muddy race that I have ever run. Came so close to DNF several times. My buddy Trent and I pushed each other in all perseverance to the finish line. A very tough and a challenging course.
Mt Mist 50K: This one’s another one of my favorite 50K. Trail runners never die, they just thin out and it’s so true if you run the Mt Mist. Some of the sections are so steep that you would wish you had some rock climbing experience. The Mt Mist 50K course will literally break you.
Stump Jump 50K: My favorite race among the Rock Creek Series. Wild trails and beautiful course with amazing support. One of the 50K events that I would definitely run every year.
Hinson Lake 24Hr: Tom Gabell puts on the best 24 hr race in the country. The course is the 1.52 mile inner loop that circles the lake. The surface is a soft clay maintained trail through the woods. You will run over 16 small wooden foot bridges including an 300 foot bridge that crosses over the lake. The Volunteers and the RD makes he race the most memorable 24hr endurance run.
Cumberland Trail 50K: Another tough 50K. The race takes you on a challenging, out-and-back route on the rugged New River section of the Cumberland Trail. This section crosses the high point of the trail, Cross Mountain, at over 3000’. The climb up Cross Mountain is steep and slow. Another wild wild trail. RD Susan puts on a great race and the best race swag.
Oak Mountain 50K: Heart breaking hills, beautiful waterfalls, different terrain throughout with challenging ups-n-downs, rocky trail sections, crushed-gravel, and trippy rocks, Oak Mountain 50K has got everything a trail runner can ask for. The finisher beer glass is well worth it and the ham burgers at the end of the race too.
Mt Cheaha 50K: The only time I thought I was going to die was during the last 3 miles of Mt Cheaha course. A race to the top of Alabama, literally. A point-to-point trail run that finishes in the Cheaha State Park at the summit of Cheaha Mountain. At 2,407 feet this is the highest point in Alabama. Along the run you will experience scenic overlooks, creek crossings, lakes, waterfalls, and hardwood and pine forests.
Destin Beach Ultra: The most beautiful race that you will ever run. A 50K race along the Destin shore. A barefoot runner’s paradise. The race supports for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. My first 50K where I run the entire race barefoot.
Strolling Jim 40 Miler: This 40 Mile Ultra marathon is run entirely on paved roads in Wartrace, TN. The race is challenging, very hilly yet the course is beautiful offering spectacular view of the southern country side.
Run Under The Stars 10Hr: Another great race organized by Steve Durbin. This is a night time run. Run, jog, walk, rest, stop and start as much as you’d like. Really cool swags including a finisher’s Award indicating your total distance. Whether you are trying to race or want to have a party with your running mates, RUTS 10Hr is the perfect race.
Flying Monkey Marathon: As mentioned in the website, The Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon is meant to be an antidote. It is a marathon that is about running. Running hard. Running over big and memorable and painful rolling hills through dense woods. The Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey Marathon is about the joy and pain of running a unique, and uniquely challenging and a beastly–26.2 mile course in the beautiful and historic Percy Warner Park, nestled among the Middle Tennessee Harpeth Hills. Trent is the funniest and the best RD. The race is so popular that it got filled in under 3 minutes. A race where I got the nick name THE INDIAN MONKEY and I am so proud of it. The one marathon I will run every single year without fail.
Sweet H2O 50K: The moment I saw pictures of runners crossing a raging river holding on to a rope, I signed up to run this awesome 50K. A 50K Ultra in Sweetwater Creek State Park, Lithia Springs, GA. Trails with creek crossings in and around the park, following the lovely rapids of Sweetwater Creek, and venturing past Civil War-era textile mill ruins. They had to reroute the course in 2011 due to heavy floods and I didn’t get to cross the raging river but I will definitely be back next year. You will get Very Wet.
Posted in Marathon, Running, Ultra Marathon1 Comment
Posted on 18 March 2012.
Here are some photos from the inaugural Savage Gulf Trail Marathon that was held on March 17, 2012 in Savage Gulf State Park in Tennessee.
The race lived up to it’s name. The marathon was barbaric, uncivilized, viscous, and merciless with boulder after boulder mixed in amongst rocky creek beds and hundreds of roots over the 26.2 mile course.
However, it is the most beautiful race I”ve done to date. It has 10+ waterfalls along with 10-12 swinging bridges mixed in with over 5,000 of elevation gain and 5,000 ft of elevation loss as well.
[photos: joshua holmes]
Posted in Running, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
Posted on 14 March 2012.
[This post is part of a series where we ask runners from all over the world what some of their favorite marathon and ultramarathon races have been.]
“Running has given me an excuse to travel and one race usually leads to another. Listed below are some of my favorites.” – John O’Regan
1. Spartathlon: This must be the toughest and most satisfying ultra Marathon in the world because of its unique history and background. The thought of this race scared be as I knew by the consistently high dropout rate of 70% that the chances of not finishing were quite high but fear of failure isn’t a good enough reason not to do something you really want to do. This race traces the footsteps of Pheidippides as he ran from Athens to Sparta to seek help from the Spartan Army in the battle of Marathon.
2. Antarctic Ice Marathon, Patriot Hills, Antarctica: When I heard rumours of a Marathon to be held on mainland Antarctica. Stepping off the plane onto the ice runway and feeling the cold while taking in an incredible vista is a memory that will stay with me forever. Running a Marathon in Antarctica made me want to run a Marathon on each of the 7 Continents.
3. North Pole: When I heard there were plans for a Marathon at the North Pole my first thought were, how do I enter? To add to the experience I ran this while guiding a blind runner ‘Mark Pollock’. To say it was tough is an understatement but it was very rewarding and I’d love to go back.
4. Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru: It takes 4-5 days to do this trek but running the Marathon gives you the opportunity to cover the trek in less than 1 day. Along the way you pass many interesting sights before the final approach to Machu Picchu through the Sun Gates. The final Vista before you ascend to the finish line is enough to stop you in your tracks and makes the effort worthwhile.
5. Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon, Nepal: You can’t have the lowest without the highest and that’s what made me choose this race. It starts at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall just above Everest Base Camp and finishes 26.2 miles down the valley in Namche Bazzar.
6. Dead Sea Ultra, Jordan: With the lowest finishing line in the world I just had to do this one and to top it off you get to relax with a dip in the Dead Sea. Another highlight of this race was an opportunity to visit Petra which then became one of the 7 Wonders of the World. The accidental tourist.
7. Marathon des Sables, Morocco: Probably the most famous Ultra in the world, 6 stages over 7 days covering 150 Miles in the Sahara Desert and my first introduction to Ultra Running. This race taught me that anything is possible once put the work in and it’s a race to need to experience rather than read about.
8. Run Connemara 80K, Ireland: A trail race in the west of Ireland that also doubled as the 2011 Trail World Championships. One of the most amazing races I’ve ever ran which took in all aspects of the Irish countryside. It was a new experience and sometimes you forget what’s on your own doorstep and the grass isn’t alway greener on the other side. Think about and appreciate what you have before you look for more.
9. North Face 100K, Australia: 100K through the Blue Mountains in Sydney. This is an opportunity to see the one of Australia’s natural wonders without feeling like a tourist.
10. Yukon Arctic Ultra, Yukon Territory, Canada: 100 Miles along the Dawson trail following in the wake of the famous Yukon Quest dog sleigh race. Competitors haul their required kit and must remain self sufficient throughout. There’s also a longer option of 300 Miles and 460 Miles. Thinking back I wish I had signed up for the longer race but I wasn’t feeling that way at mile 90J
11. Energia Belfast 24-hr Race: We all want to know how fast we can run and this race gives you the opportunity to find out how far you can run. Unlike a regular race where you cover a set distance in the fastest possible time in a 24-hr race you try cover the maximum distance in a set time. This is a true test of mental and physical strength and you will soon discover your weaknesses.
12. Donadea 50K, Ireland: A very enjoyable trail race through 243 hectares of mixed woodland with plenty of squirrels to cheer you on. The race consists of 10 * 5K loops but the route is so interesting you never get bored.
13. Run Winschoten 100K, The Netherlands: I did this race when it doubled as the World Championships and it consisted of 10 * 10K laps through the suburbs of Winschoten. The course was almost pancake flat and all the locals embrace the event giving it an almost party type atmosphere.
14. Celtic 100K, Ireland: This was my first introduction to the 100K distance and it consisted of almost 50 laps along Salthill Promenade in Co.Galway. The thoughts of running so many laps was slightly overwhelming at the start but this race taught be a lot about the benefits of proper pacing and how to control the mind.
15. Self Transcendence 100K, Scotland: This race took me to the historic town of Perth in the heart of Scotland. A flat looped course along the banks of the river Tay which to me was a memorable distraction. The Tay is a world famous salmon fishing river and I spent most of the race looking into the water in the hope of seeing a fish jumping.
16. Boddington 100K, England: A small friendly race in the English countryside and also includes 50k and marathon options.
17. Dublin, Ireland: My hometown Marathon and one that I’m proud to say is known as the Friendly Marathon. This was my first ever race and one I always look forward to doing and it feels so different every time because it just keeps getting better.
18. London, England: I have ran this race on a few occasions as part of the Runner’s World Pacing Team. I seldom do the same race twice but make an exception for London because of the carnival type atmosphere on race day.
19. Dingle, Ireland: A very scenic Marathon which follows the Dingle Peninsula. I found it hard not stopping during this race as the views are breathtaking . If you need an excuse to visit Ireland, this is it.
20. Longford. A relatively flat Marathon which takes in 3 counties and although quiet along the course it has a great finish. At times you could almost forget you’re running a race and sometimes that can be nice. I was the first entrant in the first Longford Marathon and wore race No1, for that reason more than any I will always remember this one.
“Some experiences should be remembered and not repeated and I seldom do the same race twice but if I was asked and given the opportunity to run one of my big races again it would be the Antarctic Ice Marathon.”
– John O’Regan
Posted in Marathon, Running, Ultra Marathon1 Comment
Posted on 14 March 2012.
Here is the finisher’s belt buckle from the Land Between the Lakes 50 Mile & 60K Trail Races that were held on March 10, 2012 in Grand Rivers, Kentucky.
Posted in Bling, Featured, Medals, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
Posted on 12 March 2012.
30-year old David Riddle smashed Zach Gingerich’s year-old Land Between the Lakes 50 Mile course record on Saturday in Grand Rivers, Kentucky with a time of 5:53:22. He easily won the race over second place finisher Troy Shellhamer, who also ran a heck of a race in 6:25:10.
Gingerich’s old course record, set in 2011, was 6:22:57.
Riddle, from Cincinnati, Ohio, ran a 7:04 pace on the four-loop, rolling hills trail.
Amanda Lindsey was the female winner of the 50 mile trail race with a time of 8:11:20. She finished an impressive 10th overall.
Top 10 Land Between the Lakes 50 Miler Results
Complete List of LBL 50 Mile Results
The beauty of the Land Between the Lakes is that, in addition to the 50 mile race, there is also a 60K (37 miles), marathon, 23k, and 10k.
The winner of the Land Between the Lakes 60K was Scott Breeden with a time of 4:32:28.
Second place and female winner was Melanie Peters in 4:57:44.
Top 10 Land Between the Lakes 60K Results
Complete List of LBL 60K Results
The Land Between the Lakes Marathon winner was Jeremy Davis in a blazing time of 2:54:43.
Matt Parker and Shane Thread finished second and third respectively.
The female winner was Indiana native Traci Falbo with a time of 3:39:48. She finished an impressive 6th overall.
Top 10 Land Between the Lakes Marathon Results
Complete List of LBL Marathon Results
Blake Davenport won the Land Between the Lakes 23K with a time of 1:34:19. He beat out Greg Fraze (1:41:51) and third place finisher Matthew Shoulta (1:42:28).
Top 10 Land Between the Lakes 23K Results
Complete List of 2012 Land Between the Lakes 23K Results
Congrats to all of the finishers of the 2012 Land Between the Lakes races!
Posted in Results, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
Posted on 27 February 2012.
Here is the finisher’s medal (coaster) from the 2012 LaJolla Canyon Trail 50K that took place on February 26, 2012 in Malibu, California.
This coaster/medal is weak. A coaster is not something you display but something you put drinks and other crap on top of. Step it up LaJolla and give these finisher’s something worthwhile of conquering such a tough 50K.
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[medal photos submitted by Lisa Gonzales. Follow her on Twitter @runlikeacoyote]
Posted in Bling, Featured, Medals, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
Posted on 27 February 2012.
Here is the finisher’s medal from the 2012 Post Oak Lodge 50K that was held on February 25, 2012 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Come on Post Oak!! This is one of the worst medals we’ve seen this year. It looks like someone put the paint-pen to a left over Christmas tree ornament (from 1987).
No intent to be mean but come on now! This is a medal that only Fred G. Sanford would be proud of!
As Mother Marathon Mary would say, “It’s not the medal that is important, but the effort and desire to start and finish the race that is being honored.”
MMM Recommendation: Play off the Oak name and create a natural wood medal similar to Recover From the Holidays (photo HERE) or Flying Monkey (photo HERE).
[Yeah, I just made up MMM! But I like her…and she is right!]
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[medal photo submitted by Dustin Washam. Follow him on Twitter @washamrunning]
Posted in Bling, Featured, Medals, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
Posted on 21 February 2012.
Here is one of the best medals we’ve received so far this year. It’s the finisher’s medal from the 2012 Woolley Run 50K-Marathon-Half Marathon that took place on February 18, 2012 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.
This race did a good job of not doing anything ass-backwards or did they…
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[medal photos submitted by Jack Curtis. Follow him on Twitter @JackCurtis_WA]
Posted in Bling, Featured, Half Marathon, Marathon, Medals, Running, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
Posted on 12 February 2012.
Here is the finisher’s medal from the 2012 Louisville’s Lovin’ The Hills 50K that was held on February 11, 2012 in Louisville.
Simple and pure wood medal in the shape of a heart which is a good reminder that Valentine’s Day is on Tuesday.
Lots of real hills and lots of fun make up the challenging LLTH 50K.
MORE PHOTOS OF MARATHON/ULTRA MEDALS AND BUCKLES
[medal photo submitted by Hal Fraser. Follow Hal on Twitter @Hal9058]
Posted in Bling, Featured, Medals, Ultra Marathon0 Comments
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